Philippine Muslim Today

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Vol. II, No. 22 | Nov. 12-18, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 6-12, 1443)

12 Pages / P20

2022 Elections

Sara Duterte resigns from HNP, joins Lakas-CMD DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Z. Duterte on Thursday resigned from her regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), two days after she dropped her reelection bid in the city, state media Philippine news Agency (PNA) reported on Thursday evening.

PNA said Anthony G. Del Rosario, HNP’s Secretary-General, confirmed Duterte’s resignation through a handwritten letter sent Thursday morning.

“It is with profound sadness that I hereby tender my resignation from our beloved party. My support will always be with you and I will always be grateful for all the things you have taught me,” the city mayor of Davao said.

BARMM in Focus Decommissioning of MILF fighters continues SOLON | Page A3

Bangsamoro READi aids pump-boat, habalhabal operators SOLON | Page A3

BARMM helps Lanao farmers with P10-M worth of first solar powered irrigation system Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is sworn as Lakas-CMD member by party president and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez. Wtinessing the event is Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., LakasCMD chairman.

Del Rosario said they will continue supporting the presidential daughter despite her decision to leave their party.

“While we are saddened by her resigna-

M

AKATI CITY, Metro Manila — Former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. on Thursday assured his supporters that he will remain as candidate for President and will not slide to the vice presidency as speculated by some analysts.

Marcos made the assurance in the wake of pronouncement of Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio that she will finally run for President after she has withdrawn her COC (Certificate of Candidacy) for re-election as mayor of Davao City and was replaced by the incumbent Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, her younger brother.

Shariff Ibrahim Albani (SIA), a sena-

SPECIAL FEATURE

Modern agro-industrial development project to rise in Lanao Sur

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his month, something big is going to happen in this part of the country as Southern Philippines Development Authority will launch its Agroindustrial Development Program (AIDP) in Lanao del Sur municipalities of Amai Manabilang and Wao, on November 16, 2021 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning.

Full Story on Back Page

tion, we however wish her all the best in her future plans. Godspeed po Mayor Sara.

SOLON | Page A3

Entrepreneurs benefit from scitech training on food safety Entrepreneurs | Page A2

SARA | A2

BY JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

torial candidate from Mindanao and the vice chairman of the Labor Party of the Philippines (LPP) told the Philippine Muslim Today in an exclusive interview that his LPP, a duly accredited political party by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), had an executive meeting with Marcos and the stalwarts of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) on Thursday afternoon where they discussed the coalition of the two political parties.

BBM | A2

‘Team Quibranza-Dimaporo’ of Lanao

shows support for Sen. Go’s VP bid ILIGAN CITY — Lanao del Norte leaders and supporters have joined a Nationwide Simultaneous Caravan on Saturday, November 6, 2021, to show their full support for the vice presidential bid of Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go in the 2022 elections.

Go is running under the PDP-Laban.

In a post on the provincial Facebook Page of Gov. Imelda “Angging” Quibranza-Dimaporo, there were about a hundred vehicles that joined the caravan within the province that travelled from the town of Sultan Naga Dimaporo to the Municipality of Linamon.

The post quoted Nunungan Mayor Marcos Mamay expressing support for the candidacy of Go, as he believes that

the latter can continue the programs of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We, the Team Quibranza-Dimaporo, give our full support to Senator Bong Go’s bid for the vice presidency. We’ve seen him in action, his programs that greatly helped the Filipino people, especially Nunungan, and we want him to continue the legacy of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” he said.

All mayors under the ruling party also joined the gathering but ensured that all the standard health protocols were observed.

Gov. Imelda Dimaporo was represented by her daughters, Sittie Aminah Quibranza-Dimaporo, candidate for 2nd District Representative, and her sister, former congresswoman Fatima Aliah Quibranza Dimaporo. (MNY)

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Sara Duterte resigns from Hugpong ng Pagbabago, joins Lakas-CMD | from page A1 In our hearts, you will always be our Chairperson.

We love you po,” he said.

“We will have a meeting regarding the plans of HNP going forward,” Del Rosario added.

Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy, who co-founded HNP in 2018, said Duterte called them up to inform them of her decision to resign.

“She clarified that her love and support remains in HNP,” he added.

Uy also said because of Duterte’s kindness and good deeds for Davao de Oro, they will continue to give her their all-out support whatever the presidential daughter’s decision might be.

HNP was launched on Feb. 23, 2018 with Duterte as chairperson, Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista as president, Davao Oriental Governor Nelson Dayanghirang as the vice-president, Del Rosario as secretary-general, and Uy as the party’s treasurer.

In July 2018, Commission on Elections granted the accreditation of HNP. (MNY with PNA)

Cotabato City MSM entrepreneurs benefit from scitech training on food safety, Halal compliance COTABATO CITY: At least four identified cooperatives engaged in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) underwent Technology Training on food safety and Halal awareness provided by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) recently at Pagana Kutawato Restaurant in the city.

The training aimed to capacitate Technology Transfer and Commercialization Program (TTCP) beneficiaries with knowledge, understanding, and adherence to food safety, current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), and Halal compliance.

It is also one of the requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that MSMEs and cooperatives must undergo to acquire the FDA license to operate.

The four identified cooperatives were recipients of the Micro, Small, Medium Enterprises – Upgrading Program (MSMEs-Up) and Science and Technology Livelihood Assistance Program (STLAP) under the Technology Transfer and Commercialization Program (TTCP) of the ministry.

These MSMEs-Up beneficiaries are those who have an existing business that needs upgrading or more development and licensing assistance, while STLAP beneficiaries are those who are newly engaged in business with products that need more assistance in product packaging and labeling. Moreover, other technology interventions in their production lines, such as processing equipment and licensing assistance, are also provided.

The recipients under MSMEs-Up were MSR Enterprises, Yasmin Salabat, Emy’s Food Products, while the recipient under STLAP was Mhanies Food Product. They are all engaged in food manufacturing such as coffee in teabag making, “bagoong” making, ginger and turmeric processing, food processed products, and native delicacies.

These cooperatives will also be given processing equipment that would help and speed up the processing and production of their raw materials.

Furthermore, MOST continues its efforts to provide technology training and other technology intervention for the cooperatives, associations, sole proprietors to support and upgrade their production lines, receive more profit in their business, and assist them in complying with CGMP, HACCP, and Halal requirements.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

News

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

BBM won't settle for vice Presidency FROM PAGE A1 BY JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL SIA said the closed door executive meeting on the coalition of LPP now headed by its President Imelda Papin, vice governor of Camarines Sur together with PFP was approved in principle.

BBM, as Bongbong is popularly known, is the standard bearer of PFP. Prof. Hamid K. Ladjakahal, President of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas for Tawi-Tawi said since BBM is their standard bearer, they are calling on the Filipino people both young and old to support BBM in the 2022 presidential elections.

Ladjakahal emphasized that everyone should support BBM in his concept of “unifying leadership, and make the Philippines great again.”

As this developed, SIA said Sara Duterte-Carpio took her oath as member of Lakas Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) before its National President Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez after resigning from her Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

Mayor Duterte on Thursday resigned from her regional party HNP two days after she dropped her reelection bid in the city, state media Philippine news Agency (PNA) reported on Thursday evening.

PNA said Anthony G. Del Rosario, HNP’s Sec-

retary-General, confirmed Duterte’s resignation through a handwritten letter sent Thursday morning.

She took her oath as Lakas-CMD member in the presence of Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. Lakas-CMD is a political party that has report-

edly fielded a placeholder for both president and vice president who may be subjected to substitution the deadline set by the Commission on Elections on Monday, Nov. 15.

Romualdez is the incumbent House Majority Leader. He is the member of the House of Representatives of Leyte 1st District. Aside from his political affiliation, Romualdez is the cousin of Bongbong Marcos.

SIA said after Sara took her oath as card bearing member of the Lakas-CMD before Romualdez, speculation is ripe that Sara will in the end settle for the vice presidency.

This is the dream tandem and a very strong combination of “solid North” and the solid South that everyone is praying and hoping.

Likewise, it is likened to a typhoon with a very strong signal and an earthquake with a very high intensity in the Richter Scale, according to SIA. (JIJ)

UNICEF, BARMM conduct review of midterm work plan in Tawi-Tawi including the choice between modular learning approach or face to face classes BONGAO, Tawi-Tawi -- A team from the United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) conducted recently a review of the midterm work plan of UNICEF’s country program for children in Tawi-Tawi province, as well as the choice between modular learning approach and face to face (F2F) classes. But BARMM could not avail the reopening of F2F since it is not included in the government’s list.

According to Amina Lim, UNICEF communications for development officer, said UNICEF is in the process of reviewing its 5-year (2019-2023) rolling work plan with the different ministries of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) based on its priority programs that included water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), health, nutrition, education, selfprotection, and governance.

A discussion was held that focused on how UNICEF could further align their priorities with those of the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of TawiTawi for the next three to five years, in terms of coordination and complementation.

Also tackled was the safe return of the school children from the modular approach learning into the faceto-face class instruction as the national government plans for the pilot reopening of classes in areas less affected by Covid -19 pandemic.

Yvan Tarong, UNICEF WASH-in-Schools officer, said BARMM could not yet avail the pilot reopening of face-to-face (F2F) classes on November 15 since it was not included in the national government’s list.

However, he said UNICEF is working with Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) under Minister Mohagher Iqbal to finalize the guidelines on the readiness of schools in the region, and as soon as these guidelines have been set and approved

by BARMM, then the region would propose to the national government for inclusion some selected schools in the five provinces for the F2F classes.

Dr. Aldrin Damming, alternate planning officer of MBHTE-Tawi-Tawi, said that parents of school children in the province have different perspectives in regards to the reopening of classes. Some fear the risk of the Covid -19 pandemic for their children and some favored the reopening of classes saying that modular learning approach is expensive and learning is less effective compared to physical attendance in school.

Meanwhile, Rohannie Datumanong, UNICEF child protection specialist, disclosed that UNICEF conducted a joint program with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) on the assessment and birth registration of about 287 Sama-Badjao in Barangay Lamion, Bongao Municipality, to ensure that each of them gets correct entry of their birth registration in the local civil registrar as part of child protection.

Board Member Abduljamil Ishmael, PLGU representative, said that Tawi-Tawi has always attuned to the programs undertaken by UNICEF in the province especially on children's education. He said that the provincial government has assisted MBHTE-Tawi-Tawi and other schools in the province on their modular learning method in terms of financial and material support during the pandemic.

As UNICEF's continuous commitment to support the COVID -19 protection in BARMM, it has allocated P35million to BARMM for its Integrated Provincial Health Offices (IPHOs) to intensify their vaccination sessions in the municipalities according to their micro plans.

UNICEF team was on a 2-day visitation to TawiTawi including a visit to the Rural Health Unit of Languyan Municipality last October 31.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

News

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

Decommissioning of MILF fighters continues

By JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

C

OTABATO CITY -The third phase of decommissioning process for the 14,000 Moro Islamic Liberation FrontBangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (MILFBIAF) combatants, including weapons, has started on Monday, Nov. 8, in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

The event was spearheaded by officials and representatives from the Government of the Philippines (GPH), Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB), and the Bangsamoro government.

In his message, MILF Peace Implementing Panel Chairperson Mohagher Iqbal on Wednesday said that decommissioning is a critical component of Normalization.

“We may know decommissioning as putting weapons beyond use, but at the core of it is the combatants' well-being, livelihood, and security, their families, and communities,” Iqbal, who is also the concurrent BARMM education minister, said.

Accordingly, the decommissioning of the said former combatants will take place in five Assembly and Processing Areas

MILF DECOMMISSIONING PROCESS: A combatant member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) goes through a decommissioning process in Sultan Kudarat municipality that involves surrendering of their weapons beyond use and being part of the normalization in the peace process. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO (APAs) in Mindanao, wherein the old Provincial Capitol of Sultan Kudarat Municipality will serve as the first APA for the entire phase three of decommissioning.

“We welcome the third phase of the decommissioning process. It serves as a testament to MILF's commitment to the peace process and the strong partnership with GPH, addressing the underlying cause of the conflict, inequality, and poverty in the Bangsamoro region,” Iqbal added.

Following the approval of the Republic Act No. 11593, which extends the

term of the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority until May 2025, Iqbal hopes to further advance objectives and reforms in the Bangsamoro government for the next three years.

Meanwhile, Office of the Presidential Adviser in the Peace Process (OPAPP) Undersecretary David Diciano said that panels are also committed to the implementation of all other components for the “full transformation of combatants, their communities, and the Bangsamoro”.

“Normalization, including the process of decommissioning, is and has

always been a joint effort between the government of the Philippines and the MILF. Thus, we are grateful to all our joint mechanisms, our partners, and all our stakeholders,” he added.

Last 2015, the first phase of decommissioning took place wherein 145 MILF-BIAF members and 75 of their weapons were withdrawn.

This was consequently followed by the second phase held in 2019, where 12,000 MILF-BIAF members were decommissioned with their 2,100 weapons.

(JIJ)

Bangsamoro READi aids pump-boat operators, habal-habal drivers in Cotabato City COTABATO CITY – Over a hundred pumpboat operators and 185 habal-habal drivers in the city on Wednesday have received assistance from the Bangsamoro Rapid Emergency Action on Disaster Incidence (READi).

The pump-boat operators who are residents of Barangay Poblacion 6 received the relief packs on Wednesday morning while the habal-habal drivers from different villages in the City got theirs in the afternoon.

The food packs consist of 10 kilos rice, 10

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BARMM helps Lanao farmers with P10-M worth of first solar powered irrigation system

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OTABATO CITY: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), turned over the first Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) in Lanao dell Sur last Friday, October 29.

MAFAR Minister Mohammad S. Yacob said on Tuesday said the SPIS, which was funded under MAFAR-TFBM—amounting to P10,000,000.00, aimed to alleviate the problem of farmers on water shortage.

The project has solar panels and 20 Horse Power (HP) generation capacity, capable of accumulating 3.5 cubic meters of water per minute with 660-cubic meters that can supply water for 50-70 hectares of paddy fields along Barangays Cabasaran and Sumalindaw in the town of Butig, and Barangay Malalis in the town of Sultan Dumalundong.

MAFAR Minister Yacob said, "we are here in the most remote barangay of Butig despite the distance and difficulty of the road to show our sincerity to reach you and deliver quality service to the Bangsamoro people.”

1ST SOLAR POWERED IRRIGATION: The Solar Powered Irrigation System (SPIS) turned over by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR), through the Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), which will benefit the Maranao farmers in Lanao del Sur. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO "We hope that this project will succeed and become a model for uplifting the livelihood of farmers in Butig, Lanao del Sur, as well as in the whole Bangsamoro region", he added.

Water shortage is one of the main problems of the farmers in Barangay Cabasaran and its nearby areas for several years now.

Meanwhile, Dimnatang Pansar, municipal mayor of Butig, expressed his deep gratitude to MAFAR-TFBM for the project that grants a new lease of life in their communities.

"I hope that the municipality of Butig will be able to produce more rice and in the future, we will become one of the major producers of rice not only in Lanao del Sur but also in the entire Bangsamoro Region,” Pansar said.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

cans sardines an 10 sachet coffee.

The beneficiaries were happy to receive the relief foods and expressed their gratitude to the READi which is under the Ministry of Interior and Local Government (MILG) headed by Minister Naguib Sinarimbo.

Bangsamoro READi will resume in the coming weeks extending assistance to the vulnerable and the need constituents.

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ADDRESS: Consunji St. Poblacion, Iligan City, 9200 PH

TEL: 63 302 5565

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opinion

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

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Will “Vote Buying” be minimized this time amidst this pandemic?

CASAN C. CANA Auditor AMANODING D. ESMAIL Chairman, Special Committee on Administration & Finance

EDITORIAL

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2022 Polls: Bangsamoro Voters Must Choose Their Dignity

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s another election looms over the horizon, so have the hopefuls in the national levels vying for the topmost posts in the highest halls of power in the country. Many have been veterans of a first or second term, others seek an upgrade from a lower office to a higher one.

Still others are newcomers waging a gamble to garner votes as first-time candidates or even independent ones.

The Bangsamoro voter, given the vast number of candidates, may think he is spoiled with choices. The truth is, however, that he and his fellow voters in the region do not have much to choose from. Given the reputations of many of the aspirants, especially when it comes to their track record of how they have treated the Bangsamoro in the past, it would seem that the Bangsamoro voter is wedged between a rock and a hard place this coming May

Front page of PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY previous issue.

2022.

It would be safe to say that many of the candidates, even the favored ones, have treated the Bangsamoro as just like any other voter—good only as far as vote counts are concerned, perhaps even worse.

The past three to six years have seen voters becoming disgruntled and disenchanted with promises broken by the ones they have voted into power. What then, is left for the conscientious Bangsamoro voter to do?

The best move would then be for any voter in the country to choose his dignity as a citizen of this country and that of the nation, in mind. The archipelago has suffered enough humiliation coming from the incompetence of its leaders. The 2022 elections should serve as a means for the voters to redeem not only themselves, but the country as well.

PMT

I PROMISE

T

his early in the game of politics, the electoral fever had began to heat up as everyone of our presidential aspirants had started spewing fire at each other. And it is getting hotter and more intense as their followers have now joined the prey.

The respective research team of these candidates are deep in their assignments to unlock the secrets of the other candidates to strengthen their arsenals of invectives to be thrown at the enclaves of their opponents. This makes politics the worst manifestation of democracy.

And because of this, the electorates will likely be drawn to being judgmental and as a consequence, their choice of a leader that could deliver them from ignominy to prosperity could be clouded with bias and prejudice.

In this election more than any other political exercise in the past should be decided on the issues through a clear and clean perception on the ideals and principles that these candidates stand for. We, the electorates should keep our punches close to our chest while the actual battle is still a bit far away.

Politics after all is a guessing game and the longer you play mystic with the gamblers, the wider and greater the chances that they will open up their cards and show their real self and show their true intentions thus, giving us the fullest opportunity to place our bets to the best candidates.

This elections could probably go down in

history as the most hotly contested political exercise we ever had not in terms of violence because our present array of candidates are not known for their warrior image or exuberance because no one of them is but, in the closeness of the margins of votes between these presidential hopefuls.

The Outside View Judge Panambulan M. Mimbisa (ret) No one of them as yet is poise to win with overwhelming votes. And maybe because of their no clear cut edge over the other pretenders that the results could be determined by few thousand votes.

As we come closer to redemption day, let us keep in mind that whoever wins, brings with him or her the heavy burden of creating or building an image that will overshadow those of his/her predecessors or end up no better than anyone.

Sorry to the Filipino people. I promise to do better next time but sorry for you, there is no more next time. Your time is up. And so, let our votes count. Let us not be swayed by promises.

Let us look at the records but let us also examine their potentials. Afterall, promises are meant to be broken. This is how politics work.

PMM

Opinion MARTIAL LAW VICTIMS” AND FORMER SENATOR BONGBONG MARCOS “Not enjoyment, and not sorrow, Is our destined end or way; But to act, that each to-morrow Find us farther than to-day.

In the world’s broad field of battle, In the bivouac of Life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle!

Be a hero in the strife!”

- From A Psalm of Life by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“

MARTIAL LAW VICTIMS ASK COMELEC: DROP MARCOS” is the headline of the November 3, 2021 issue of a leading Manila daily. The socalled martial law victims refer to individuals who were arrested or destined or tortured during the Marcos martial years. This is the noisy crowd which has been filing cases in court, here and abroad, In fact, they are not the only victims of the Marcos Martial Law (MML), all the people of this country are victims except – the Marcoses, their cronies, their relatives and friends, their civilian and military officials.

I, too, am a victim of martial law –detained in the Marcos political prisons of Camp Crame and Fort Bonifacio for eighteen months and eleven days, ranking as First Honor to genuine political Opposition figures like Senators Jose W. “Pepe” Diokno as Salutatorian for having been detained for twenty months and Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, Jr. as Valedictorian as he was detained for six years.

Many people know I have not been bellyaching about being a victim of the martial law of Marcos or using it as a badge of honor whenever I move around or run for public office like other people do.

In politics as in war, imprisonment is a part of the game - that is why I am not a claimant for damages against Marcos and his family.

BongBong candidacy: The “martial law victims” want BB Marcos to be disqualified to run for President in the May 2022 elections. Can he be disqualified? I maintain the view that – he cannot be disqualified. First, his conviction by the RTC of Quezon City was modified by the Court of Appeals – deleting imprisonment and substituting it to a fine.

Second, there is nothing in the decision which disqualifies him to be candidate for public office or to hold public office. Third,

he has been elected congressman, provincial governor, senator and even run for Vice-President and he was not disqualified in any position he was running for. Fourth, moral turpitude cannot be applied in his case because if it does disqualify him on this ground, then none among the popular candidates will be left because they too can be disqualified on the bases of moral turpitude. For what is moral turpitude? It is nothing but shameful, wicked and immoral conduct. Tell me who among the popular candidates for President is not assailable for conduct involving moral turpitude?

In brief, filing this case for disqualification is an exercise in futility. It is typical of the conduct of these “victims” of martial law and that of the incompetent Cory government that we have come to this point – the Marcoses riding the crest of wave, holding public offices and strutting around like peacocks as though they still own the country. What a national shame!

Remedy: What should these petitioners do so BB M does not get elected President? First, overwhelm mainstream and social media with propaganda detailing reasons showing he is unfit to be President. Second, produce pamphlets in all languages in the country showing the misdeeds of the Marcoses complete with pictures and undeniable details. Third, campaign all over the country against BB M. Fourth, see to it that PR Duteerte does not use the military, police, Comelec, teachers and other public officials to make a mockery of the elections.

That way, they can produce good results not only for themselves but more so – for the country and the people. This is the way to demolish BB M and his ilk.

Fault: Why is BB M and the other Marcoses still around and holding public offices. This is the

fault of TWA President Cory Aquino and her corrupt and incompetent government. Instead of confiscating the ill-gotten wealth of Marcos and his cronies, it organized Presidential Commission on

Diliman Way

HOMOBONO A. ADAZA Good Government (PCGG), giving them the opportunity to contest the takeover of companies in court.

As I have written previously in my columns and books, I had this arranged meeting between businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco, one of the perceived cronies of Marcos, in a lobby of a five-star hotel in Los Angeles, USA, before the coup of 1989. Considering there will be elections in May 2022 and it is possible that an unfriendly presidential candidate to the Marcoses may win, this conversation is good for him and the country, which went this way “Danding – Bono, you and Cory committed a mistake by creating PCGG. You gave us a chance to fight you in court. Since you created a revolutionary government, you should have just confiscated our properties.

Me – It was not me but Cory and Salonga who committed the mistake.

You are right they should have confiscated all your properties. If I were Secretary of Justice, I would not have only confiscated all your properties, I would also have confiscated you.”

Danding – Thanks God, you did not become Secretary of Justice.”

BB M, FM and PR D: BB M is a very poor copy of FM. He is a bad copy of PR D. The PR D presidency is a disaster for our country and our people. A BB M presidency would be worse – it would be a catastrophe for our people and our country. Victims of martial law and voters – take it away for there. Bury BB M by campaigning hard against BB M and bury him in an avalanche of votes for the desired leader as that will drive BB M fast into oblivion. -(HAA)

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

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SARA OR BBM IN 2022 This is now the big question mark as to who between Sara and Bongbong or BBM that the supporters of the two contenders will support in the 2022 Presidential Elections.

The drama in real life seems to be repeated in this particular situation. I was involved or an impeachable witness to the Drama In Real Life in 2016 involving the then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

Incidentally, I was lucky to have an Exclusive Interview with the then Mayor Digong. He was in the company of Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who at the time of the campaign, Bong was very much visible where in all the speaking engagements of the Davao City mayor he can be seen always behind the Presidential Candidate Digong Duterte being a visible “Photo bomber.”

Then as everyone knows after the victory of now President Duterte, Bong Go became his SAP (Special Assistant to the President) solely working akin to an Executive Assistant. Then in the previous elections, he ran for the Senate and won and now better known as Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. Going back to the 2016 Drama in Real Life of Duterte, before I asked him about my main question whether he will be running or not for President in the National Elections, as an introductory I asked him some minor topics but with a big impact to the riding public like the “laglag bala.”

This had victimized so many airplane passengers wherein many succumbed to this scheme where an innocent passenger fell prey to the unknown airport personnel involved in this anomalous transactions at the airport.

During the inspection of hand carried baggages this was the time where live bullets are pretended to be discovered by the airport personnel conducting inspection. So when this happened the innocent passenger can no longer board his flight

since he will be investigated by the Airport police and would be filed a criminal case for having live bullets in his hand carried items that were prohibited.

Anent thereto, the then Mayor Duterte told me in the event he would become the next President of the Republic of the Philippines, and if this anomalous “lag-lag bala” would still exist, he will let the Airport personnel suspected of involvement in “planting” of the live bullets into the baggage of the innocent passenger to swallow the said bullet.

That was the stern warning of Digong and it was good enough when he became President this “laglag bala” was stopped once and for all.

At this juncture, I have shifted to main question whether he will adhere to the clamor of the people for him to run for President. The then Mayor Rody Duterte told me pointblank that definitely he will not run for President since he has no money and he refused to raise a campaign fund when the money will be sourced out from the big businessmen in the Philippines. “I do not want to incur a debt of gratitude or “utang na loob,” Mayor Duterte said.

Considering that the information is from the “horse mouth” so to speak, I immediately filed the News Story with The Manila Times in my capacity as Senior Correspondent sometimes in 2016, which my News Desk prominently used it.

When the News Report saw print the readers especially my friends blamed me for writing that Digong will not be running for President.

However, I argued huunthat was based on actual “face to face” interview.

But by the time the COMELEC allowed candidates to substitute a candidate who has filed his COC earlier, Mayor Duterte who had not filed his COC during the regular schedule suddenly filed his COC for President substituting for the now DILG Undersecretary Martin Dino who had withdrawn his COC for President.

Hence, it appears that I was after all telling a lie with my News Report.

President Duterte’s action really was responsible for my writing a false or fake reports. This is in spite of the fact that I have been very careful in my writing

Batanes to Tawi-Tawi

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL since I became a Professional Journalist in 1986 or around 44 years when I first started with the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Now here comes his daughter Sara DuterteCarpio who had already told the Media in several interviews that she will not be running for President but vowed to continue her term as Mayor of Davao City.

But she was not true to her words and like her father was also telling a lie. Thus on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, the feisty Inday Sara withdrew her COC as Mayor of Davao City and was replaced by her younger brother Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.

Hence, what Sara is doing now is a “history repeats itself.” Although I have met Sara several times in Davao City, but we have not discussed about her “atrasabante”decision.

Unlike her father the then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte, I was with him a few weeks before the campaign period and told me that he will not run for President. But in the end he ran. So I came out with an Exclusive News Report out of my Interview at The Manila Times that Digong will not run. Then as I have said my friends who really wanted him to run got disappointed or discouraged of what I wrote. Hence, Digong was a culprit that made me a lier inspite my 44 years of Media Practice was not diluted with lies.

According to the Group Chat of 1MAHARLIKA JANNARAL | A8

A6

PH Round-Up

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

Bayaning Tsuper meets senior citizens’ group Caloocan City-Bayaning Tsuper Partylist first nominee Atty.

Aminola "Alex" Abaton yesterday met with senior citizens' groups in this City.

According to Atty.

Abaton, the meeting is part of a series of dialogues being conducted with various road users to assess the distinct requirements of the sectors, so they may be truly represented in Congress.

Referring to the Party-

na tayo ng espesyal na

hindi n'yo na kailangang

"Ang mga tsuper ay gal-

atensyon. Dapat ding ding-

pumunta pa sa malayo. Ka-

ing sa atin--mga anak, apo,

gin ang pangangailangan ng

mi mismo ang pupunta sa

o kapatid natin 'yan. Bilang

mga senior citizens, ninyo,

inyo. 'Yung clinic na ang

mga senior citizens at riding

lalaki, elderly, o bata--lahat

upang maisali ang mga pro-

bababa sa inyo," he re-

public, malaki ang role na

po saklaw ng ating pro-

gramang nakatuon para sa

vealed.

ginagampanan ng mga tsu-

grama dahil gumagamit sila

inyo at sa inyong kalig-

ng lansangan."

tasan," he emphasized.

list's name, he explained, "Ang 'tsuper' kapag pinakinggan mo, akala mo na ang tanging nirerepresenta niya ay 'yung hanay ng driver. Pero hindi po. Pagdating sa ating mga programa, buo

po ito--mapa-babae, mapa-

For her part, United

per sa ating buhay. Hinaha-

Elderly Association of Cama-

tid nila tayo ng ligtas sa

meeting,

rin President Rita Carpio

ating

citizens have particular re-

Atty. Abaton intimated one

noted the role that drivers

nararapat lang na suporta-

quirements. Thus, to ad-

of his goals for the senior

play in the senior citizens'

han natin sila."

dress these, the solutions

citizens.

He added that senior

During

the

pupuntahan.

Kaya

daily life. Further, she un-

Present during the con-

"Ang pangarap ko po ay

derscored the need to sup-

sultation were the officers

nagkaka-

magkaroon ng mobile clinic

port them to ensure safer

and members of the United

edad tayo, nangangailangan

para kung 'san man kayo,

roads.

Elderly Association of Cam-

must be tailor-made.

"Kasi

kapag

PDEA-11 denies ‘cover-up’ in Davao Oro drug raid DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 11 (Davao Region) denied Wednesday speculations of a “cover-up” in the drug raid at a beach resort in Barangay Pindasan in Mabini, Davao de Oro on November 6.

“Those are speculations and I don’t understand why there are issues about a ‘certain list’ because this is a planned operation and the intricacies of the operation are with us and of course our subjects of the operation are those who were arrested,” Aileen Lovitos, PDEA-11 regional director, said at a virtual press conference.

She clarified that the 17 arrested were the subject of their operation and as per the statement they released to the media.

The name of former Davao City Information Office head Jefry Tupas was not included, she added.

During the raid, authorities arrested Revsan Ethelbert P. Elizalde, the

subject of the buy-bust, 33, of Barangay Catalunan Pequeño, with his alleged cohorts -- Eana Faye Marie Olea, Bryk Jiordan Archival, Kurk Bryan Tiubot, and Paolo Guerero.

Also nabbed while having a supposed drug session were Jomark Aping, Ariel Bueno, Edel Caballero, Ronald Chuan, Fritz Dinopol, Tom Jhun Doblas, Mark Christopher Isip, Janlord Masong, Christopher Prudente, Jesus Ragas III, Giovanni Tabanao, and Jason Viduya.

Although a statement was released by the office of Mayor Sara Z. Duterte on Tuesday confirming the involvement of Tupas during the drug raid, Lovitos said only 17 were their subject and that all were successfully arrested.

“I cannot decipher [the statement] but I will take it as it is. Ms. Tupas has made her statement and I cannot comment on that. But she [Tupas] can also comment about it,”

Lovitos added.

She, however, clarified that Tupas will be a part of the ongoing investigation.

She also added that the drug personalities arrested have been monitored for some time because the party drugs being peddled were not common and that they needed to conduct careful surveillance with other law enforcement agencies.

“The target that we have has been our target for quite some time.

Months of monitoring were conducted before the operation,” Lovitos said.

Amid all the allegations, she assured that they will investigate the claims of those arrested who were saying that Tupas and other individuals were allowed to leave the area by PDEA agents.

“There is an ongoing investigation on this (as to) what transpired during the operation, and further look what had happened

upon its conduct,” Lovitos said.

Earlier Mayor Sara Z. Duterte confirmed she has terminated from work Tupas after being dragged into the drug raid at a beach resort in Barangay Pindasan.

In a statement, Duterte said that the former CIO head signified his resignation when he was informed that he has been terminated from work with the city government.

Before Duterte’s statement, Tupas clarified allegations about his presence at the beach party.

“I was there because like the other guests, I was invited. But I left right after dinner with my boyfriend and another friend,” he said in a statement.

The statement of Tupas came after photos of him, along with those involved in the raid, surfaced, though he was not among those arrested.

PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

BARMM, Comelec ink MOA for teachers’ protection during polls COTABATO CITY, Nov 10 – Education and poll officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will ensure the protection of the rights of teachers serving in next year’s elections.

“Yes, we are doing this as early as this time for our teachers,” Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) – BARMM, told reporters here Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Iqbal signed the MOA during an online meeting attended by Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioners Marlon Cascuejo, Antonio Kho, and Aimee Ferolino, Comelec Executive Director Bartolome Sinocruz Jr., Comelec Director for Personnel Margaret Ching, Comelec-BARMM Director Monalisa Mamukid, and other MBHTE personnel.

“At least we will become confident while performing our duties during political exercises,” teacher Salem Akmad of the Maguindanao schools division, said in a separate interview Wednesday.

“This is unprecedented, we have nothing like this in the past,” he added.

Under the MOA, the MBHTE will submit to Comelec a certified list of public school teachers who are qualified, willing, and available to render election-related service giving preference to those with permanent appointments and those who have served in previ-

ous automated elections pursuant to Section 5 of Comelec Resolution No. 10194.

The MOA also stated that preference should also be given to those who are without comorbidities and are below 60 years of age.

Iqbal said the MOA also stated that MBHTE shall bear the cost of capacity training to be conducted by the Comelec such as sensitivity training, polling place management, and basic health and safety protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019.

“Truly, when two organizations unite and support each other, better results can be achieved for the betterment of the public,” he said.

Iqbal said he wanted the best protection for teachers who will serve as members of both city and municipal electoral boards during the upcoming political exercise.

“With this partnership, we will be capacitating them (teachers) with the right knowledge to deter abuses and any form of security threats that may occur before, during, or after the 2022 elections,” he said.

Iqbal stressed that the BARMM would also ensure that resources of the government will not be used for purposes of electioneering and that teachers and nonteaching personnel of the MBHTE will remain nonpartisan.

“As a government who postulates moral governance in the running of our day-to-day affairs, we envisioned a fair, orderly, and honest election,” he said. (PNA)

WANTED REPORTERS Philippine Muslim Today is in need of field reporters who will report on developments affecting Muslim communities.

Fluency in oral and written English and Filipino languages is a must.

Send application to: muslimtoday2020@gmail.com

News

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

Manila’s chief prosecutor named Comelec commissioner

A7

4 NPA rebels surrender to the military in Sultan Kudarat province

By Ali G. Macabalang

M

ANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Manila’s chief prosecutor Rey Bulay as the new commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Malacañang announced Thursday.

“We confirm that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signed the nomination of Atty. Rey E. Bulay as Commissioner of the Commission on Elections,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

Roque said Bulay will serve as a Comelec commissioner until Feb. 2, 2027.

He said the Palace wishes Bulay “all the best in his new assignment.”

“We are confident that Atty. Bulay will ensure the conduct of honest, orderly, credible and peaceful elections,” Roque said.

Palace has yet to release Bulay’s appointment paper.

Bulay is a graduate of San Beda College of Law.

C He was also appointed in November 2016 as commissioner of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

He likewise served as Muntinlupa City councilor from 1988 to 1998 and from 2007 to 2010.

Bulay also became president of the Councilors League of the Philippines.

(PNA)

No special treatment for Sara Duterte’s ex-info officer MANILA – Malacañang on Thursday said the former head of Davao City Information Office (CIO), who was dragged into the November 6 drug raid at a beach resort in Davao de Oro, has not received any preferential treatment from the government.

In an online press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said it was baseless to claim that the government had given Jefry Tupas, sacked information officer of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, preferential treatment after being allowed to leave after the raid.

Roque said Tupas was not a "key personality" in the anti-drug operation conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

"No basis po kasi hindi nga po kasama talaga si Mr. Tupas doon sa raid na iyan (It has no basis because Mr. Tupas

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (File photo)

was not part of the raid)," he said, when asked to react to claims that Tupas received special treatment after PDEA allegedly let him off the hook.

Roque said PDEA had already clarified that no search warrant or arrest warrant was issued for Tupas.

"Correction lang po.

Nagkumpirma po ang PDEA na 'yung dating information officer ni Mayor Sara ay hindi po kasama doon sa search warrant o di kaya ay sa arrest war-

rant na in-issue para po dito sa buy-bust operation na ito (Just a correction. The PDEA confirmed that the former information officer of Mayor Sara wasn't included in the search warrant or arrest warrant issued for the buy-bust operation)," he said.

At least 17 party-goers were arrested when PDEA -11, along with the National Bureau of Investigation and Mabini Municipal Police Station, conducted a buy-bust operation at a beach resort in Pinsdasan village in Mabini, Davao

de Oro on Nov. 6.

Around PHP1.5 million worth of party drugs were seized during the raid.

Sara on Tuesday confirmed that she had fired Tupas following his involvement in the buy-bust operation.

Prior to Sara's statement, Tupas clarified allegations about his presence at the beach party, saying he was invited as a guest and left the vent "right after dinner with my boyfriend and another friend."

On Wednesday, PDEA -11 regional director Aileen Lovitos denied that there was a "cover-up" in the drug raid.

Lovitos said Tupas was not included in the list of personalities who will be arrested, but stressed that the former Davao CIO will also be investigated.

PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

ARTA outpost accepts reports vs. fixers, red tape in gov’t MANILA – The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on Wednesday launched its first ARTAmbayan outpost that can receive reports from citizens regarding fixers and poor public service in government offices.

The first ARTAmbayan is located at Barangay Pinyahan along Magalang Street in Quezon City.

ARTA director general Jeremiah Belgica said the outpost aims to empower citizens as they make the agency’s services more accessible to the public.

The ARTAmbayan can handle concerns and complaints on-site for citizens who have limited access to technology to file their complaints against fixers and

red tape in public offices.

Belgica said ARTA will be launching more outposts in fixer-prone areas in Metro Manila.

“The ARTAmbayan that you see today is not just the work of a barangay, of an LGU (local government unit), but a collaboration of various government agencies that see the need to take seriously our problem on fixers and red tape,” he said.

Belgica also called on national government agencies and LGUs to pursue better regulations and a whole-of-nation approach in delivering public services. (PNA)

AMP NAVARRO, Calarian, Zamboanga City: Four members of the New People’s Army (NPA) that the military dub as communist terrorist group laid down their arms and returned to the folds of the law Tuesday afternoon, November 9 in Sultan Kudarat province.

Major Andrew Linao, spokesman of the Western Mindanao (WestMinCom) on Thursday identified the NPA rebels with their aliases as a.k.a. Norman, a.k.a.

Roger, a.k.a. Daniel, and a.k.a. Alpha.

Major Linao said the Surrendered personalities were members of the LGU1, West Daguma Front, Sub Regional Committee Daguma, Far South Mindanao Regional Committee. They submitted themselves to the military at the 37th Infantry Battalion (37IB) headquarters in Barangay Tibpuan, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat “We are always willing to welcome all those who wish to come out and join the mainstream society,” said Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, commander of Joint Task Force Central based in Maguindanao province.

The former rebels handed over one cal. 22 rifle, one 12-gauge pistol, one cal. 45 Colt M1911 pistol, and one rifle grenade. They are currently undergoing custodial debriefing facilitated by the 37IB. “I commend the troops of the Joint Task Force Central under the leadership of Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy for this recent accomplishment. The series of surrenders of the communist terrorists and other enemies of the state manifests that we are gaining ground thus let us continue to exert our best efforts to win their hearts and convince them to join us in our journey towards peace and progress here in Mindanao,” said Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., WestMimCom commander.

It can be recalled that last November 3 eight members of the Far South Mindanao Regional Committee also surrendered to the troops of the 7th Infantry Battalion in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. Their documents are now being processed for their enrolment to the livelihood program of the government.

From January 2021 to date, a total of 108 communist terrorists have surrendered to the armed forces in Central Mindanao. The JTF Central encourages the remaining combatants to end their armed struggle peacefully.

JULMUNIR I. JANNARAL

Manila-Camiguin flight starts Nov. 15 MANILA – Direct flights between Manila and Camiguin province will be launched on November 15, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific (CEB) announced Tuesday.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) confirmed to the Philippine News Agency that currently, there is no direct flight on the said route.

CEB spokesperson Carmina Romero said CEB will only have one roundtrip flight between Manila and Camiguin every Monday and Friday.

One roundtrip flight between Camiguin and Cebu was also offered every Tuesday and Saturday, Romero added.

The carrier announced it has relaunched its service to/ from Camiguin via Cebu beginning November 9. It claimed that it is the first airline to relaunch direct flights to Camiguin Island since the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic started.

“We are pleased to restart the tourism sector in the island as we enable more Juans to fly conveniently to and from this destination. We look forward to having more passengers on board as we welcome the reopening of leisure travel and prepare to paint the skies yellow again,” said CEB Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao in a statement.

Passengers bound for Camiguin should create an account on this website (cleancamiguinqr.com) and upload pertinent documents such as health declaration form, proof of vaccination.

Further, they must upload proof of confirmed booking in an establishment accredited by the local government unit, or a clearance from the municipal health officer if they would stay in a private home. Download a copy of their ID with QR and present this before flight. (PNA)

A8

News

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

POTATO PANCAKE

Fugitive couple nabbed in Lanao del Sur CAMP SK PENDATUN, Maguindanao, Nov 10 – A couple wanted for various crimes were arrested in Lanao del Sur after several days of surveillance operations, a top police official here said Wednesday.

Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, police director for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Minda-

nao (BARMM), identified the couple as Dimatingki Masbod, wanted for rape, and his wife Cayamona Diamla, who has pending charges for kidnapping and illegal detention.

Armed with an arrest warrant, Ugale said the police team, backed by government soldiers, implemented the order against the couple at their

house in Masiu, Lanao del Sur at past 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The Regional Trial Court Branch 9 of the 12th Judicial Region in Marawi City issued the warrant against the couple with no bail recommended.

Also seized from the couple’s house were an M14 rifle, an Uzi subma-

chine gun, two pistols, and assorted ammunition.

Ugale said the BARMM police is continuing its intensified crackdown on wanted persons and illegal firearms in the region in preparation for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the national and local elections next year.

PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

JANNARAL | from page A5

SARA OR BBM IN 2022 REAL CHANGE the members themselves are now disappointed, discouraged, and not happy with the new development that Sara Duterte-Carpio had finally withdrew her COC (Certificate of Candidacy) as Mayor of Davao City and will still run by virtue of the power of substitution as President of the Republic of the Philippines.

According to one member of 1Maharlika, a group supporting BBM “In this changing times wherein politics is full of uncertainties...shifting of forces..alliances..unification..vested interest ..is at stake.

Thus, it is a reality that in politics there are no permanent enemies or friends. Everyone is entitled to his own personal choices and sets of preference...MAHARLIKANS will be facing a great challenge..all changes are deemed acceptable..but rest assured...BBM is our guy, no matter what and come what may.

They also said “keep your feet on the ground, THE FIGHT HAS JUST BEGUN...WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY AHEAD.....STAY FOCUS!,” is the battery of the Maharlikans!

For your Comments/Suggestions, please send an email to: julmunir1845@gmail.com

BANGSAMORO HALAL DISH With Maria Fhebie Ortil

A

ssalamu Alaykum! With more than a month to go before the year 2021 ends, we are now on the Philippine Muslim Today’s Bangsamoro Halal Cuisine Vol. 2, No. 22 Digital Online Edition November 12-18, 2021 (Rabi AlThani 7-12, 1443).

Herewith, I am presenting a different kind of recipe which can be used for breakfast or merienda time. This is the Pancake not with the usual flour but out of Potatoes.

Hence, this is known as Potato Pancake that you might try using the easily to acquire ingredients and very simple instructions to follow.

Potato Pancakes can be easily cooked at home. As homemade savory potato pancake recipe this is naturally made with potatoes, onion, egg, all-purpose flour and seasonings.

These crispy potato Pancakes are delicious with sour cream or apple sauce.

INGREDIENTS 1 lb. (400 g) medium-sized potatoes, peeled and grated 1 large egg 1 small yellow onion, grated 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt or to taste 1 teaspoon ground black pepper ot to taste 2 tablespoons oil 2 tablespoons sour cream Chopped parsley, for garnishing INSTRUCTIONS 1. Grate the peeled potatoes in a bowl.

2. Rinse and drain the grated potatoes before combining them with grated onion and egg.

3. Season with salt and black pepper.

4. Whisk the mixture together. Sift all-purpose flour and add to the mixture, stir to mix well.

5. Heat a skillet with oil on medium-high. Drop about two tablespoons of the potato mixture into the skillet and flatten it with the back of the spoon.

6. Fry each side of the potato pancake for 5 minutes or until golden brown.

7. Dish out the potato pancakes to a plate lined with paper towels Serve warm with sour cream on the side.

8. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

(MFO)

News

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

A9

US, China show rare agreement in Sarangani’s ‘Boracay of the South’ climate change declaration opens to vaxxed tourists ISTANBUL – The pressing climate crisis has brought together global rivals China and the US in rare unity, with both pledging to use multilateral processes to avoid catastrophic impacts of the changing climate.

The world’s top two economies are the largest emitters of carbon dioxide.

It came as a surprise to many, but experts had suggested climate, besides Afghanistan and Iran, was one of the are-

through stepped-up efforts. They declare their intention to work individually, jointly, and with other countries during this decisive decade, in accordance with different national circumstances, to strengthen and accel-

The agreement was announced by China’s special envoy on climate Xie Zhenhua and his US counterpart John Kerry on the sidelines of the UN climate conference in Scotland, which is set to wrap up Friday.

“The US and China are committed to pursuing such efforts, including by taking enhanced climate actions that raise ambition in the 2020s in the context of the Paris Agreement, with the aim of keeping the above temperature limit within reach and cooperating to identify and address related challenges and opportunities,” the US State Department said Wednesday night in a joint statement with Beijing.

It said the “US and China recall their firm commitment to work together and with other parties to strengthen implementation of the Paris Agreement.”

as where the interests of the world’s top two economies converge.

Beijing and Washington have been at loggerheads over the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the Uyghur human rights issue in Xinjiang.

The climate deal appeared on Wednesday to be a rare example of unity.

Praising “significant efforts” being made around the world to address the climate crisis, the statement said: “There remains a significant gap between such efforts, including their aggregate effect, and those that need to be taken to achieve the goals of the (2015) Paris Agreement.”

“The two sides stress the vital importance of closing that gap as soon as possible, particularly

erate climate action and cooperation aimed at closing the gap, including accelerating the green and low-carbon transition and climate technology innovation,” the statement said.

But some said the agreement had little in the way of details for how and when the actions would be taken.

At the Glasgow conference, Xie said: “Both sides will work jointly and with other parties to ensure a successful COP26 and to facilitate an outcome that is both ambitious and balanced.”

Kerry said the two countries “set out our support for a successful COP26, including certain elements which will promote ambition.”

“Every step matters right now, and we have a long journey ahead of us,” he added.

(Anadolu)

ADVERTISE WITH PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY. CALL 63 2290965 OR TEXT 09477201555 09152184388

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Fully vaccinated tourists from outside Soccsksargen may now enjoy the famed whitesand beaches and other popular destinations in “tour town” Glan in Sarangani province.

Rhoa Wadingan, Glan tourism officer, said on Thursday the local government has decided to reopen its beach resorts and facilities to tourists from outside the region, especially those who have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid19).

She said the move is part of their continuing efforts to help the area’s tourism industry recover from the impact of the pandemic.

“This is an incentive to those who are already vaccinated and hopefully will encourage others to also get the vaccines,” she said in an interview.

Based on the guidelines earlier issued by Glan Mayor Vivien Yap, Wadingan said visitors need to present their confirmed bookings

with a resort and register with the town’s contact tracing application Data Vault for Your Covid-19 Assistance Response Emergency System or “DVY Cares.”

She said unvaccinated tourists from other areas are still welcome, provided they can present negative Covid-19 antigen test results.

The municipality closed down its 35 beach resorts and hotels in mid-June this year due to the surge in Covid-19 cases but reopen them a month later to tourists from Soccsksargen.

Wadingan said the number of tourists visiting the area has been increasing since August and they expect a further hike in arrivals as the recorded new infections in the region and other areas continued to decline.

She said the number of visitors in the province grew from 24,139 last August to 44,307 in September.

“Majority of our resort workers are al-

ready fully vaccinated and we hope that this will encourage more tourists to come,” he said.

Glan, dubbed the “Boracay of the South” due to its pristine whitesand beaches, was one of the top tourist destinations in Soccsksargen before the pandemic.

The Sarangani Bay Festival, a three-day annual beach party last hosted by the town in 2019, attracts as many as over 100,000 tourists from various parts of the country.

Aside from its beaches, Glan, which celebrated its centennial year in 2014, also offers a glimpse of its historic past through its wellpreserved century-old ancestral houses.

Early this week, the National Quincentennial Commission unveiled a historical landmark near the shores of Barangay Batulaki, Glan to commemorate the passage in the area 500 years ago of the surviving crew of the MagellanElcano expedition.

(PNA)

Tornado hits island in Basilan

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A tornado hit an island in Maluso, Basilan, destroying some houses and boats, and prompting some people to evacuate, authorities reported.

At least three families composed of 17 persons were affected, and they

took shelter at the homes of relatives, the Basilan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said in a report released Tuesday nig/ht.

The incident occurred around 12 noon Sunday, in Gaunan small, Brgy.

South Gaunan.

No casualty was reported, but two houses and two bancas were destroyed while another boat was damaged, the PDRRMO said.

Damage to those properties was estimated at around P350,000.(PMT)

A10 Several Yemeni areas hit by Saudi warplanes as Yemen keeps up resistance The Saudi-led war coalition’s fighter jets have launched a series of raids targeting several areas in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, as well as in Amran and Sa’dah provinces, while the Yemeni army keeps up resistance against the kingdom and its allied aggressors.

On Wednesday evening, coalition aircraft conducted airstrikes on al-Sayanah area in the district of al-Thawra and on al-Hafa area in the district of alSabeen, both located in Sana’a, Yemen Press Agency (YPA) reported.

The war coalition also attacked Raymat Humaid area in Sanhan district of Sana’a province and Sihar and Harf Sufyan districts, which are located in Sa’adah and Amran provinces, respectively.

The latest round of Saudi-led onslaught against Yemenis comes as the Yemeni Army’s Missile Force launched ballistic missiles toward the southwestern Saudi region of Asir and also pounded the positions of Saudi-backed mercenaries in the Yemeni provinces of Ma’rib and Ta’izz.

Parl. Speaker calls on Arab, Islamic nations to end Saudi crimes Also on Wednesday, the Yemeni parliament lauded the Yemeni army for its successive victories on various fronts in the face of the Saudi-led coalition.

The parliament condemned the atrocities committed by the coalition in Ma’rib province, which remains the last stronghold of the Saudi-backed forces and the most important area over which Yemen and Saudi Arabia continue to fight.

It underlined the importance of concerted efforts aimed at foiling conspiracies targeting the Yemeni people and liberating all Yemeni territories.

Yemeni Parliament Speaker Yahya Ali al-Raee

Smoke billows from the site of Saudi-led air strikes in Sana'a, Yemen on March 7, 2021. (Photo by Reuters) also sent a letter to the parliament speakers of Arabic and Islamic countries, calling on them to help put an end to the Saudi crimes against the poorest Middle Eastern country.

Saudi Arabia, accompanied by its allies, launched the war on Yemen in 2015, to bring the Hadi government back to power and crush the popular Ansarullah movement.

Instead of achieving the professed goals, however, the Saudi-led war has left hundreds of thousands of Yemenis dead and displaced millions more. It has also destroyed Yemen’s infrastructure and spread famine and infectious diseases.

War coalition denies withdrawing troops Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition stated that its troops were redeploying, rather than withdrawing, in order to continue the fight against the Sana’a government.

According to Reuters, the spokesman of the Saudi -led coalition, General Turki al-Malki, said reports circulating about a Saudi military withdrawal from south Yemen were “baseless and unfounded.”

“Movement and redeployment of troops based on operational and tactical assessment” was a standard operation “in all military forces across the world,” General Malki said.

He made the remarks after Yemeni security forces told Reuters that the Saudi military had withdrawn from a major military base in Burayqah district in the southern port city of Aden, removing troops, hard-

Foreign News

Vol. II, No. 20 | Oct. 29—Nov. 4, 2021 (Rabiul Awwal 22-28, 1443)

China’s Xi warns against return to Cold War tensions in Asia-Pacific Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned against returning to Cold War-era divisions in the Asia-Pacific, urging countries in the region to work together on joint challenges, as tensions continue to grow between China and the United States over Chinese Taipei.

Xi made the remarks at a virtual business conference on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit hosted by New Zealand on Thursday, saying the region should "be forward-looking, move ahead and reject practices of discrimination and exclusion of others."

"Attempts to draw ideological lines or form small circles on geopolitical grounds are bound to fail," he said, adding, "The Asia-Pacific region cannot and should not relapse into the confrontation and division of the Cold War era."

Xi's remarks were an apparent reference to the US-led Indo-Pacific alliances — AUKUS and Quad — to blunt what Washington and its regional allies see as China's growing coercive economic and military influence.

The Chinese president further called for a joint effort to make COVID-19 vaccines more accessible

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks to a virtual conference at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, on November 11, 2021. (Photo by Reuters) to developing nations to close the "immunization gap" and emerge from the shadow of the pandemic and achieve steady economic recovery at an early date.

"We should translate the consensus that vaccines are a global public good into concrete actions to ensure their fair and equitable distribution," he said.

Xi's comments came hours after China and the United States announced a surprise pact to boost cooperation on climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow.

The Chinese leader did not mention the US deal directly but said "all of us can embark on a path of green, low-carbon sustainable development."

"Together, we can usher in a future of green development," he

ware, and heavy artillery.

In recent months, the Yemeni Armed Forces and the Popular Committees have closed in on the positions of the Yemeni-backed militants in the country.

The Sana’a government has also repeatedly targeted positions deep inside Saudi Arabia so as to compel the kingdom to end its war on Yemen, saying its defensive attacks will continue until Riyadh ends the war.

‘Yemen issue should not be used as political card’ Yemeni Foreign Minister Hisham Sharaf Abdullah called on the international community to address the root causes of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, represented by the Saudi-led aggression and siege.

The Yemeni humanitarian file should be given priority and not be compromised or used as a political card, Abdullah said during a meeting with the head of the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sana’a, Mathew Leslie, on Wednesday.

The chief Yemeni diplomat called on the UN Security Council to pay attention to the Yemeni people’s suffering and find appropriate solutions to end the suffering.

The Saudi-led war on Yemen has been accompanied by a tight siege that has led to fuel shortages in Yemen, devastated daily life in the impoverished country, and even prevented the entry of medicines and medical supplies into the country.

Three fuel tankers detained in ‘unprecedented piracy’ According to the Yemen Petroleum Company (YPC), the Saudi-led coalition is detaining three Yemeni tankers carrying more than 80,000 tons of diesel, preventing

said. "China will stay committed to promoting winwin cooperation and contribute to the economic development of the AsiaPacific region."

However, while China and the US have identified climate as a key area for potential cooperation, tensions have been soaring between the two countries over Taipei.

On Tuesday, China conducted a "combat readiness patrol" near the Taiwan Strait following a visit to Taipei by members of the US Congress, which sparked immediate condemnation from Beijing. China said the drills were aimed at the "seriously wrong" words and actions of "relevant countries" on the Taipei issue and the activities of the so-called "independence" forces on the self-ruled island.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that Washing-

ton would ensure Taipei can defend itself to avoid anyone "trying to disrupt the status quo by force."

China has sovereignty over Chinese Taipei, and under the "One China" policy, almost all world countries recognize that sovereignty. The US, too, recognizes Chinese sovereignty over the island but has long courted Taipei in an attempt to unnerve Beijing.

The latest development comes as several US media outlets have reported that Xi and his US counterpart, President Joe Biden, will hold a virtual summit as early as next week.

Combative US diplomatic exchanges with China early in the Biden administration has unnerved allies, and US officials believe direct engagement with Xi is the best way to prevent the relationship between the world's two biggest economies from spiraling toward conflict.

The US-China relations have grown increasingly tense in recent years, with the two largest economies of the world clashing over a range of issues, including trade, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, military activities in the South China Sea, and the origins of the coronavirus. (PressTV)

them from reaching the port of Hodeidah despite the fact that the ships have obtained UN permits and were inspected in Djibouti.

In a statement, the YPC said the tankers have been detained for 81 days of “unprecedented piracy.”

“All tankers have completed all UNVIM procedures in Djibouti and obtained United Nations permits,” the company explained, stressing that the cargo “complies with the conditions contained in the concept of verification and inspection operations.”

The YPC pointed out that in the face of “criminal piracy and its catastrophic repercussions,” no serious and tangible action has been taken by the UN, despite the fact that it is the international body concerned with facilitating the entry of imports of basic commodities.

PressTV

Yemeni army forces shoot down US-made ScanEagle spy drone over Ma’rib amid Saudi evacuations

Vol. II, No. 22 | Nov. 12-18, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 6-12, 1443)

MSU System bares applicants for MSU-IIT chancellorship

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OBITUARY PAULI BANI GANDA, 75 The immediate family of PAULI BANI GANDA, also known as NURHAIFA/NORHAIFA of Brgy. Cadayonan II, SPDA, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, expresses their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to their relatives, friends and all those who condoled with them at the time of their bereavement and sorrow for the loss of their loved one PAULI BANI GANDA who passed away on June 19, 2021, at Kialilidan, Binidayan, Lanao del Sur, at the age of 75.

The death certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar Marawi City, Lanao del Sur as furnished to the Philippine Muslim Today, revealed that the Immediate Cause of her death was Cardio Respiratory Arrest, and the antecedent cause Cancer of the Lungs.

As a Muslim practitioner whose religion is Islam, the decease’ remains was buried in accordance with Islamic Rites at a Macbara Muslim cemetery in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur. PMT: Nov. 5-11, 2021; Nov. 12-18, 2021; Nov. 19-25, 2021.

DEED OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT AMONG LEGAL HIERS WITH WAIVER OF RIGHTS KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: WE, POTRE NORHARA B. GANDA and SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA, all of legal age, married and a resident of MSU, Marawi City, after having been sworn to an oath in accordance with law, depose and sand declare as follows:

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur — The Mindanao State University System has announced three aspirants for the chancellorship of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) which will be vacated soon.

According to a statement posted recently at the MSU Marawi—Office of Information, Press and Publication, at the close of office hours on November 10, 2021, the Office of the University and its Board of Regents (BOR) Secretary has received the applications of three (3) candidates

for the Chancellorship of MSU-IIT, namely: 1. Prof. Jinky B. Bornales, PhD 2. Atty. Ating D. Diacat, JD, DPA, and 3. Prof. Atty. Alizedney M. Ditucalan, JD, LLM. The applications will pass through rigid process. MSU-IIT incumbent chancellor Dr. Sukarno Tanggol is set to retire soon.

MSU-IIT is an international top-university in the QS Asia University Rankings 2022 ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL

1. That we are the only legitimate children and heirs of the deceased PAULI B. GANDA who died on June 19, 2021 at Cadayonan, MSU, Marawi City.

2. That said deceased died intestate without any last will or testament and without any outstanding debts at the time of her death.

3. That our late mother as above mentioned left to us her savings Account with the UnionBank, Iligan City, under S.A. No. 109576936297 with an outstanding balance of P81,347.89.

4. That in order to withdraw from the said account of our late mother, I, POTRE NORHARA B. GANDA hereby WAIVED my rights over the said account in favor of my sister/co-heir SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA who may withdraw the outstanding balance from our late mother UnionBank Account; and 5. That we are executing this DEED in order to attest to the truth and correctness of the above mentioned facts and to support the withdrawal of my sister SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA from the UnionBank Account of our late mother PAULI B. GANDA and for any other legal purposes.

IN WHEREOF, we have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of October, 2021 at Marawi City, Philippine.

(SGD) POTRE NORHARA B. GANDA (Affiant/daughter)

(SGD) SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA (Affiant/daughter)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BEFORE ME, a Notary Public, for and in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, personally appeared POTRE NORHARA B. GANDA and SITTIE RAHANA JHAN GANDA with Passport No. P1193308A issued by DFA, Cag. De Oro City, known to me to be the same person who executed the foregoing instrument and she acknowl;eded to me that the same is her free act and deed.

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL this 28th day of October 2021 art Marawi City, Philippines.

ADVERTISE WITH PHILIPPINE MUSLIM TODAY. CALL +63 63 2290965 OR 09477201555 | 0915 2184388

PMT Classified

(SGD) ATTY. CAIRODING P. MARUHOM Notary Public Until December 31, 2021 Roll No. 35712-4/27/89 PTR No. 7550308b; 11/19/19; Marawi City IBP No. 095377; 11/21/2019 MOLE Compliance No. VI-0026691 DOC. NO. 21; PAGE NO. 6; BOOK NO. XXV; SERIES OF 2021.

PMT: Nov. 5-11, 2021; Nov. 12-18, 2021; Nov. 19-25, 2021.

WE ACCEPT PUBLICATION OF THE FOLLOWING: Extra-Judicial Settlements, Court Orders, Legal Notices, Obituaries, and other announcements. Contact: 063 2290965 or 09152184388.

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Special Feature

Vol. II, No. 22 | Nov. 12-18, 2021 (Rabiul Akhir 6-12, 1443)

SPDA launches Agro-Industrial Development Program in Lanao del Sur SPDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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MAI MANABILANG, LANAO DEL SUR – After more than two decades following approval by Congress on Republic Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (AFMA), Mindanao today sees an authentic modernized agriculture technology as South-

AFMA is the Philippine Government’s policy instrument that defines measures to modernize the country’s agriculture in order to Agriculture Secretary be at par with the WILLIAM DOLLENTE DAR leading nations in the global market.

SPDA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Abdulghani ‘Gerry’ Ajul Salapuddin said Agriculture Secretary Dr. William Dollente Dar is the AIDP launching keynote speaker who represents President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as the latter declined the invitation due to prior commitments. Dar is expected to discuss the current condition of the Philippine agriculture before the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Ministers, local officials, SPDA’s private business partners, and local farmers.

The revised concept of development of the 26,000 hectare proclaimed property in the municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang upon the reactivation of SPDA has been focused on the establishment of a special economic zone dubbed as MinSEZ or Mindanao Special Economic Zone. In his message, Salapuddin disclosed that in the entire Mindanao, there is only one economic zone located in Zamboanga City and that he wanted President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to officially declare MinSEZ as an economic zone in Mindanao.

However, due to certain constraints, the effort in converting the area into an ‘ecozone’ was stalled. Despite this temporary setback, however, the spirit to continue with the concept of the plan was sustained.

The development planning had been pursued simultaneously with the marketing of the area wherein prospective locators were invited to infuse sufficient financial resources for agricultural development.

The direction was to fulfill the mandate of SPDA in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 2046, to continue to manage and supervise the area with development concepts grounded on the current sociopolitical, cultural and economic condition prevailing in the area.

Hence, an Agro-Industrial Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) Development Program (AIDP) is being adopted in GRAND LAUNCHING AGRO-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (AIDP) pursuance to the envisioned Mindanao Special Economic Zone (MinSEZ) revised concept of develop& ing the area.

UNVEILING CEREMONY THE CONCEPT Implementation of a Mechanized and Precision Agriculture Technology The idea of developing Amai Manabilang and Wao, Lanao del Sur the area into a special ecoNovember 16, 2021 10:00 a.m. nomic zone was to be carPROGRAM ried out into the implemenI. Press Conference (9:00 a.m.) tation of the proposed AgroII. Meet & Greet with video presentation Industrial Development II. Invocation & Philippine National Anthem Program (AIDP) which will III. Welcome Remarks Amai Manabilang Mayor HON. JAMAL E. MANABILANG have the following frameWao Mayor work: Locators from the HON. ELVINO B. BALICAO, JR. private sector shall be invitIV. Intermission: MSU Sining Kambayoka Ensemble ed to invest in agricultural V. Opening Remarks SPDA Administrator & CEO HON. ABDULGHANI AJUL SALAPUDDIN production and processing VI. Speeches/Remarks: in the proclaimed area prefa. Office of the President represented by: erably utilizing the latest Agriculture Secretary WILLIAM DOLLENTE DAR modern farming systems b. Office of the MAFAR – BARMM represented by: and technology; SPDA shall Deputy Minister MS. AMMAL D. SOLAIMAN c. Minister EDUARD UY GUERRA delineate the area suitable Ministry of Public Works – BARMM for agricultural production VI. Intermission: MSU Sining Kambayoka Ensemble based on a previous red. Office of ASPAC AG – MR. WILSON R. DE VERA source profile prepared for Director & Authorized Representative of Asia Pacific Precision Agriculture the proclaimed area for deGroup (ASPAC AG) e. MAJOR GENERAL JUVYMAX UY velopment of locator’s plan6th ID Chief PA, Commander of Joint Task Force Central tation including areas for VII. Unveiling of the AIDP Marker processing and/or postVIII. Signing of the Pledge of Support harvest facilities; An approIX. Showcasing of the Modern Farm Equipment priate agreement shall be X. Closing Remarks HON. JIMMY G. DUREZA Board of Director, SPDA executed between locator XI. Reception to Follow and SPDA as enabling document in the implementa-

ern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA) launches the promising Agro-Industrial Development Program (AIDP) in the Municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang (formerly Bumbaran) in the Province of Lanao del Sur. Republic of the Philippines

Office of the President

SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY th Main Office: 4 Floor Karpentrade Bldg., Km. 2 Mac Arthur Highway, Matina, Davao City

Telefax No. (082) 297.6664/298.5745 | Email: info@spda.gov.ph ; info@spda.gov.ph

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Message ssalamu Alaykum! Alhamdulillah!

Today, we are witnessing the Grand Launching of SPDA’s Agro-Industrial Development Program (AIDP) in the Municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang, both in the Province of Lanao del Sur. This ambitious project has been made possible in partnership with the American company Asia Pacific Precision Agriculture Group (ASPAC AG) that undertakes modern, mechanized, precision agriculture technology.

This Agro-Industrial Development Program (AIDP) is in pursuance to Republic Act No. 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (AFMA), a government policy instrument defining measures to modernize Philippine agriculture for the country to compete in the global market which was approved by Congress two decades ago.

Despite the meager funds of the Authority, and at no expense on the part of the Government, through creativity and linkages, by the grace of Allah, we managed to persuade ASPAC AG to become our partner in implementing this precision agricultural engineering in the 26,000 hectares of SPDA proclaimed property in the Municipalities of Wao and Amai Manabilang, Lanao del Sur. Mr. President and Chief Minister Hadji Murad Ebrahim, this kind of project will greatly support and sustain the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) peace deal economically. Governor Mamintal A. Adiong, Jr., and Mayors of Wao and Amai Manabilang, we are indeed privileged to do this project with our foreign partners in your area to support your good governance.

I would like also to express our esteem appreciation to the local executives of both Amai Manabilang and Wao Municipalities for their open and supportive help in making this dream come true, as these are within their jurisdiction. We came to them as their partner for peace and development, and we ended up earning their trust.

Finally, for and on behalf of the SPDA official family, we would like to thank all our honorable guests for gracing this monumental event.

From my end as Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of SPDA, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to express my deepest thanks for the trust you’ve given me Mr. President. And since my position as Administrator and CEO of SPDA is coterminus with our beloved President, at least I have not failed you! for I have humbly accomplished the revival of SPDA and implemented its mandates as a “corporate vehicle for peace and development”.

I am proud to say that SPDA is back in Business! Aim high, think big! Exploring beyond limits. That’s the SPDA spirit!

Thank you very much. Wassalamu Alaykum!

ABDULGHANI ‘GERRY’ AJUL SALAPUDDIN Administrator & Chief Executive Officer

tion of the project that the latter will undertake which will involve consensus on the crops to be planted and the aspect of remuneration or income for SPDA. As a component of the AIDP, a Stewardship Program shall be implemented by SPDA which will involve the awarding of land stewardship to local farmers or the existing planters who will be affected by the development of plantations of the locators. The beneficiaries shall be organized appropriately for the purpose and shall be awarded with home and agricultural lots as the community development component of the Stewardship Program.

To sustain the community, the stewards shall be given the opportunity to be employed in the agricultural endeavors of the locators or produce crops to be marketed to the locators. Together with the locators as part of their corporate social

responsibility, SPDA shall assist in establishing community support facilities like schools and health facilities.

CELESTINO B. SIGLOS, Ed.D.